Allah Has made Prayer (Salah), which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, compulsory on his slaves and orderedthem to establish it and perform it well. The Prayer (Salah) is one of the mostimportant things which our Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) had explained to thepeople, verbally and practically. He (S.A.W.) obligated us to copy him in hisprayer, saying:
” Pray as you have seen me praying” (Sahih Bukhari: 631)
Prerequisites(Shurut) of Prayer (Salah):
Prerequisite means a condition that isrequired in order for something else to happen and if it is missing, the thingis invalid and unfulfilled e-g Ablution (Wuḍhu) is a prerequisite for Salah.
It is obligatory for a person who wishes toperform Prayer (Salah) to make sure that he or she satisfies the following Prerequisitesbefore entering the Prayer (Salah):
1. Intention: (an-Niyyah) for Prayer: Theperson who is going to pray must have in his heart the intention to pray thatparticular Prayer. Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) used to say:
All actions are by intention, and every man shall have what he intended.” (Sahih Bukhari: 54)
The Prophet (S.A.W.) never instructed us toaudibly or inaudibly state intentions for any act of worship, and theCompanions (R.A.) did not do this either.
2. Purification (Taharah): Onemust make sure that the person’s Body,his/her Clothes and Place (ground on which offering Prayer)are clear from all kinds of impurity before he/she starts the Prayer.
3. Ablution (Wudu): Ablution is part of purification. Ablution (Wuḍu)is a one of the most important prerequisite for Salah (Click here to know about Prophet’s Sunnahs of Performing Wudu/Ablution).
Our Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
"Allah does not accept the prayer of anyof you when you are defiled until you performed ablution.” (Abu Dawud: 60)
4. Covering the Private Parts: Before starting prayer, man must cover his entirebody and private parts including his shoulders. The same is evident fromfollowing Aya of Quran:
“O children of Adam, take your adornment [bywearing proper clothing and concealing the private parts (awrat)] for everymasjid (for prayer)” (Surah Al-Araaf 7:31)
Most scholars agree on one point that duringPrayer, it is highly recommended for a man to have his head covered duringprayer.
However, it is mandatory for a woman to entirebody except her face and hands.
5. Facing the Kabah / Qibla: Facing towards Qiblah (Kabah) is a veryimportant condition of performing Prayer. Wherever aperson is going to pray, he should face towards the Kabah. As Allah Says inQuran:
“…. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram.And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer] ….” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144)
It is obligatory upon everyone who can actuallysee the Kabah / Qibla to face it directly. As for those who cannot actually seeit then they should face its direction.
However, if the person is in a place such as adesert, jungle, unknown strange city or a place where he does not know thedirection of the Qibla, he should try his best to find out the direction of Qibla from othersand if it is not possible then he should use his judgment and face in adirection which he thinks is that of Qibla and Allah will accept his Prayer.
It is important to start the Salat facing thedirection of Qibla and it does not matter if his direction changes while he ispraying e.g. in a ship, a train or an airplane, etc.
Note: Nowadays, a compass is available which gives the direction of Qiblah. In strange places and airplanes it is auseful instrument to possess.
The Essentials (Arkaan) of Prayer (Salah):
Essential is the property or characteristic ofsomething that makes it what it is and if it is missing the thing is null andvoid. For instance, recitation of Surah Al-Fatḥiaḥ in each and every ‘Rakaat’ is an essential for Prayer.
1. Standing (Qiyaam): It is obligatory that the person praysstanding. As Allah Says in Quran:
“Be guardians of your prayers, and of themidmost prayer, and stand up withdevotion to Allah.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:238)
Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said:
“ ……. then face the Qibla and say Takbir(Allahu Akbar), and then recite of what you know of the Quran, and then bow,and remain in this state till you feel at rest in bowing, and then raise yourhead and stand straight …. “ (Sahih Bukhari: 6667)
This is a pillar (rukn) for the one who isable to stand. If one cannot stand then he or she may offer Prayer sitting,lying on one’s side or whatever position he is capable of taking. The Prophet (S.A.W.)said:
"Pray standing. If you are not able tostand, then pray sitting. If you are not able to pray sitting, then pray (whilelying) on your side." (SahihBukhari: 1117)
2. Takbeer-e-Tehrimah (opening Takbeer for entering Prayer): Itis done when one commences with Salah by saying ‘Allah-u-Akbar’ (Allah is the Greatest)while raising the hands to shoulder level with the palms facing forward. AbuHumaid As-Saidi (R.A.) said:
" I am oneamong you who is more informed of the way the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)prayed. ... When the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) stood up to pray, he raisedhis hands so as to bring them opposite his shoulders, and uttered the takbir(Allah is the greatest) …. " (AbuDawud: 730)
According to the above-mentioned Hadith, theperson should start his Prayer saying ''Allah-u-Akbar'' (Allah is thegreatest), raising both of his hands to the level of his shoulders or ears thenhe should fold his hands over his chest right hand over the left hand. Thisapplies equally to men and women.
As narrated by Tawus:
“The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) used to placehis right hand on his left hand, then he folded them strictly on his chest inprayer.” (Abu Dawud: 759)
3. Looking at the Place of Prostration:
A person who is offering Prayer must havehumility and attentiveness in his Prayer and should avoid everything that maydivert his attention. Whilst standing, he or she should look towards the placeof his prostration. He or she should not turn to the right or the left. It is alsonot allowed for the person offering prayer to raise his sight to the sky.
4. Opening Supplication: After Takbeer-e-Tehrima, person should beginby reciting one of the supplications established from the Prophet (S.A.W.) duringfirst Rakaat/Rakat only. Following is one of many such supplications.
It was narrated that Abu Saeed (R.A.) said:
"When the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.)started to pray, he would say:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَاسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
(Subhanakallahumma,wa bihamdika tabarakasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk)
Translation: Glory is to You O Allah, andpraise. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthyof worship except You.
(An-Nasai:900 & Abu Dawud: 775)
5. Reciting Surah Al-Fatiḥah: After starting with supplication, personshould recite ‘Taawudh’
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطانِ الرَّجِيْمِ
(Audhubillahi mina shaitaan nir rajeem)
Translation: I seek refuge in Allah from the rejectedSatan.
(Surah Al-Nahl 16:98)
After‘Taawudh’, recite ‘Tasmiyah’
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(Bismillahir-Rahman ir-Rahim)
Translation: In the Name of Allah, the MostGracious, and the Most Merciful.
[SahihMuslim: 399 (a)]
Itis noted that this (Taawudh ad Tasmiyah) should only be said silently during thefirst Rakat (opening unit of Prayer).
AfterTaawudh and Tasmiyah, a person has to recite the whole of Surah Al-Fatihah. This is a pillar (rukn) and the Prayer will not be correct without it.So it is obligatory upon even those who do not know Arabic that they memorizeit.
TheMessenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“Everyprayer in which the Ummul-Kitab (the Mother of the Book i-e Surah Al-Fatihah)is not recited is deficient.” (Sunan IbnMajah: 889)
"Whoeverdoes not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid." (Sahih Bukhari: 756)
(Click here for know about the importance of Surah Al-Fatihah)
It is obligatory for every person to recite SurahAl-Fatihah in every Rakaat (all units of Prayers whether obligatory prayers forSunnah or Nafil Prayers).
6. Recitation after Surah Al-Fatihah: It is proven from the Sunnah of ProphetMohammad (S.A.W.) that after reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, one should reciteanother Surah from Quran or recite some Aayahs of Quran in the first two Rakaatof Fardh Salah (initial first two units of the obligatory prayers).
Abu Qatadah (R.A.) reported that:
The Prophet (S.A.W.) would recite Al-Fatihahand some surah in the first two Rakaat of the noon prayer, and only Al-Fatihahin the last two Rakaat. Sometimes he would recite some verses. The first Rakaat'srecital would be longer than the second. That was how it was done in theafternoon and morning prayers. (AbuDawud: 78)
The Sunnah is also to make the recitation inthe first Rakaat longer than the recitation in the second Rakaat.
The length of recitation will vary accordingto the different Prayers. So generally, the recitation in the Dawn (Fajr)Prayer is longer than the recitation in any of the other Prayers. Next comesthe Zuhr, then the Asr and the Maghrib, then the Isha.
7. The Bowing (Rukoo): After finishing the above steps, a personoffering prayer should raise his hands, in the manner described previously withregard to the initial Takbeer (Takbeer-e-Tehrima) and also say the Takbeer(i.e., Allaahu Akbar), and this is obligatory.
Then a person will perform the Rukoo (bowing)in such a manner that all his joints are settled, and each part of the body isat rest. This is a pillar (rukn). (This is proven Sunnah from Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:739)
It was narrated that Abu Masud (R.A.) saidthat the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:
“The prayer is not valid if a man does notbring his backbone to rest while bowing and prostrating." (An-Nasai: 1027)
The Sunnah way of performing Rukoo (bowing),the person should place his hands firmly upon his knees, spread his fingers, asif he were grasping his knees, stretch out one’s back and make it level and thenit would settle upon it. Person should neither cause his head to droop lowerthan his back, nor should he raise it above it. Rather he should make it levelwith his back. Person should also keep his elbows (straight and) apart from hissides. After that, person should say, three times, or more, in the Rukoo:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
(SubhaanaRabbee al-Adheem)
Translation: Glory to my Lord the Exalted.
(An-Nasai:1046)
8. Straightening Up from the Rukoo (Qawmah): Afterabove step, theperson must raise up and straighten his back from the Rukoo (the standing afterRukoo is Called Qawmah in Arabic). He should say, while raising his back,
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
(Sami' Allaahu liman hamidah)
Translation: Allah heard those who sent praisesto Him.
(SahihBukhari: 795)
Person should raise his hands when he risesup, in the manner that has preceded (Takbeer-e-Tehrima). Then the person shouldstand straight up and remain still, such that every bone returns to its placeand say while standing:
رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
(Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd)
Translation: O our Lord! And all praise is forYou.
(SahihBukhari: 795)
This is obligatory upon everyone praying, evenif a person praying behind Imaam.
9. First Prostration (Sajda): After the perfect ‘Qawmah’ the person prayingshould move to perform Sajdah (prostration). During prostration, the foreheadand the nose - together, the two palms, the two knees and the toes of each footshould touch the ground. All the body parts should be in the direction of Qiblai-e hands, feet etc.
Person should say: "Allah-u-Akbar" whilegoing for the prostration. In the prostration position, person should say (at-leastthree times):
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
(SubhaanaRabbiyal-Alaa)
Translation: Glory is to my Lord, the MostHigh.
(AbuDawud: 857)
10. Being Settled in the Prostration (Jalsah):
After performing one/first Prostration perfectlyand calmly, the person praying should raise his head form Prostration saying"Allah-u-Akbar" bending the left foot and sitting on it while keepingthe right foot propped up with its toes pointing towards the Qibla, the palmsof his hands should rest on his thighs and knees, the back should be straightso that the joints go back in place.
The Prophet (PBUH) used to say:
“The prayer is not valid if a man does notbring his backbone to rest while bowing and prostrating." (An-Nasai: 1027)
So, it is important to sit as straight aspossible during two prostrations (Jalsah).
11. Second Prostration (Sajda): Then the person should perform the secondSajdah saying "Allah-u-Akbar" and repeat what he did in the firstSajdah.
12. Sitting for Rest (Jalsah-e-Istarahat): After performing both prostration, person shouldraise his head up saying "Allah-u-Akbar" and sit for a short while ashe did in ‘Jalsah’ (stay between prostrations). Person should do this beforestanding up for the second Rakaat (second unit of Prayer).
Narrated Malik bin Huwairith Al-Laithi (R.A.)said:
“I saw the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) prayingand in the odd Rakaat, he (S.A.W.) used to sit for a moment before getting up.”(Sahih Bukhari: 823)
13. Second Rakaat (2nd Unit of Prayer): Afterstanding up for the second Rakaat, person should fold his hands over his chestas he did in the first Rakaat and start recitation by reciting “Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim” and Surah Al-Fatihah followed by anypassage or a chapter of the Holy Quran." Then he should complete his second Rakaat in the manner ofthe first one.
14. Tashahud (sitting for the declaration of Faith): Whena person offers two, three or four Rakaat Prayer, he/she should sit after twoRakaats for Tashahud. If he/she offering two Rakaat Prayer than this will behis/her first and last Tashahud but if he/she performing three or four RakaatPrayer, then this will be his/her first Tashahud and he/she will stand aftertwo Rakaats to complete third (for three Rakaat Prayer) and fourth Rakaat (forfour Rakaat Prayer).
So when a person finishes the second Rakaat,he/she sits to perform the Tashahhud. He/she sits upon the left foot laid flat,as preceded with regard to the sitting between the two prostrations. However,it is not allowed to sit upon the two heels for this sitting and also notallowed for him/her to sit whilst resting upon his hand, especially the lefthand.
Abu Humaid As-Saidi (R.A.) said:
"I remember the prayer of Messenger ofAllah (S.A.W.) better than any one of you. …... On sitting in the secondRakaat, he (S.A.W.) sat on his left foot and propped up the right one; and inthe last Rakaat, he pushed his left foot forward and kept the other footpropped up and sat over the buttocks." (Sahih Bukhari: 828)
Person should clench all the fingers of his/herright hand, placing his/her thumb onto his/her middle finger sometimes, he/shemay make a circle with his/her thumb and middle finger together. He/She shouldpoint his/her forefinger towards the Qibla (Direction of Prayer) and fix his/hergaze upon his/her forefinger (it is Sunnah act to see forefinger while movingor pointing the forefinger in Tashahud). He/She should agitate (up and down) it,making supplication with it, from the start to the end of the Tashahhud.
[SahihMuslim: 580 (b), An-Nasai: , 1160 & 1268 ]
So after completing two Rakaats, personoffering prayer should sit in a position mentioned in the above Hadith and thenrecite the following:
التَّحِيَّاتُ للهِ، وَالصَّلَوَاتُ، وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ،السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُعَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِينَ. أّشَْدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُوَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
(Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu ,wattayyibaatu , assalaamu 'alayka 'ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wabarakaatuhu, assalaamu 'alaynaa wa 'alaa 'ibaadillaahis-saaliheen. 'Ash-hadu'an laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wa 'ash-hadu 'anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasooluhu)
Translation: All greetings of humility are forAllah, and all prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and themercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteousslaves of Allah. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah,and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.
(SahihBukhari: 7381)
If a person offering two Rakaat Prayer, thenafter reciting above, he/she should supplicate for blessing upon the Prophet(S.A.W.) by saying:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍكَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ،اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَوَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
(Allaahummasalli 'alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa 'aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta 'alaa'Ibraaheema wa 'alaa 'aali 'Ibraaheema, 'innaka Hameedun Majeed. Allaahummabaarik 'alaa Muhammadin wa 'alaa 'aali Muhammadin, kamaa baarakta 'alaa'Ibraaheema wa 'alaa 'aali 'Ibraaheema, 'innaka Hameedun Majeed)
Translation: O Allah, bestow Your favor onMuhammad and on the family of Muhammad as You have bestowed Your favor onIbrahim and on the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. OAllah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Ibrahimand the family of Ibrahim, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.
(SahihBukhari: 3370)
Thenhe may choose, in this Tashahud, any of the reported supplications that pleasehim, and supplicate to Allaah with that. (Click here for Duas/Supplications after Tashahud)
15.The Third and Fourth Rakaats:
If a person is offering three or four RakaatPayer, then he/she will stand-up after first Tashahud (after reciting ‘Attahiyyaat’only, without supplicate for blessing upon the Prophet (S.A.W.) andsupplication after Tashahud). The person will Say “Allah-u-Akbar” whilestanding for the third Rakaat. Then he/she should complete his third and fourthRakaat in the manner of the first and second one.
16. The Final Tashahud: Aftercompleting the third and fourth Rakaats, person should sit for the final Tashahud,and both Tashahud are obligatory. Person should do in it what he/she did in thefirst Tashahud (with Attahiyyaat’ and supplicate for blessing upon the Prophet(S.A.W.) and supplication after Tashahud).
17. The Salutation (Tasleem) (Ending The Prayer):Aftercompleting the ‘Tashahud’, person should give salutations to his right side, turninghis face such that the whiteness of his right cheek can be seen, by saying:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
(Assalam-u-alaykum wa raḥmatulllah)
Translation: Peace and blessings of Allah beunto you.
Then he/she will give salutations to his leftside, turning his face such that the whiteness of his left cheek can be seen,by saying:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
(Assalam-u-alaykum wa raḥmatulllah)
Translation: Peace and blessings of Allah beunto you.
Itwas narrated from Abdullah (R.A.) that:
“The Prophet (S.A.W.) used to say salam (Taslim)to his right and to his left: As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah, as-salamualaykum wa rahmatullah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah, peace be uponyou and the mercy of Allah) until the whiteness of his cheek could be seen fromhere, and the whiteness of his cheek from here. (An-Nasai: 1324)
Undoubtedly, the fulfillment of all thenecessary conditions for the Prayer enhances its chances of receiving the bestrecognition and full reward of Allah.
May Allah accept Prayer, Supplications and allother good deeds of all our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world.
